Fergie's in awe of Raul

SIR ALEX Ferguson joked that United will have to stop Raul from travelling to Manchester for the Champions League return leg after seeing the player he rates as the best in the world score a brilliant brace in the Bernebau.

SIR ALEX Ferguson joked that United will have to stop Raul from travelling to Manchester for the Champions League return leg after seeing the player he rates as the best in the world score a brilliant brace in the Bernebau.

The Spanish striker scored with two left-foot finishes to give the current holders a healthy lead to take into their return leg.

And Ferguson believes that for his side to have any chance of turning the tie on its head, his defence will have to get to grips with the 25-year-old.

'Never contained him'

éRaul is so difficult to play against when he starts taking up the positions he did," said Ferguson.

"He always seems to be an outlet for them and we never contained that part. We know Zinedine Zidane and Luis Figo are great players but we could have handled that. Raul was very difficult.

"My only hope is that he doesn't like travelling. Failing that, we will stop him coming into the country for the second leg.

"Real Madrid have bought some great players over the last few years but, at the moment, Raul is the best in the world."

Despite needing to win by two goals at Old Trafford, Ferguson was aware that the damage could have been worse as at times his side were outplayed to an almost embarrassing degree.

Penalty appeal

The hosts had what looked to be a blatant penalty turned down when Ronaldo was felled by Wes Brown, and the Brazilian also missed a series of chances to extend the lead.

éIt looked like a penalty to me. They had a few other chances, but so did we,é he added.

éThere was a period of fantastic end-to-end play in the second half.

éIt would have been nice to get another goal but we have to recognise we could have lost by more.é